It was a kindness for them to not see the words. True that Wanderers brought with them a form of unrest, but the natives were innocent of that. They didn't need to see what was written on his face, or ask questions of something that may upset them.

He let Shen Wei smooth the salve over the wound and then put his mask back on, the care reminding him of a time before. Before the Chief and the war and the anger and the pain. He ducks his head, his mouth twisting a little against some of the thoughts roiling in his head and breathes out hard.

Gege didn't mean it. Gege never did that. It was all lies.

Raising his head, he tries to smile again. "Yes, gege."